"Erin? Harry?" Hermione asked uncertainly as it seemed like both of them were coming to. She had inched closer to Ron during the attack. She looked quite worried. As Harry came to, something was shoved into his hands. "Here... Eat this. It'll help." The man known as Remus Lupin addressed him. He looked at it uncertainly. "Don't worry. It's only chocolate." He said attempting a small smile.
Erin opened her eyes and looked around her. "What happened?" She asked and then her eyes fell on the man in front of her. "Remus..." She whispered the word not certain if he heard her or not. She looked at Harry and then at the others.
Remus got his first good look at the girl as she came to. He was momentarily frozen as he caught his own name whispered from the girl's lips. He stared at her for a long moment before finally putting a bit of chocolate into her hands as well. "Eat." He said softly before he hastily stood up, looking about the train car. "If you'll excuse me... I need to go have a bit of a word with the conductor.
"He seemed in an awful rush to leave," Harry noticed as he took a bite of chocolate, but Ron and Hermione seemed more worried about their friends.
Erin put the chocolate hesitantly to her lips before putting it back down. "What happened?" She asked again. "What was that thing?"
Ron couldn't look at her and he turned his head away. He looked awfully depressed and uncertain of what to say. He looked at Hermione wanting to say something but couldn't, he quickly away again.
"Well?" Erin asked again.
"Professor Lupin said it was a Dementor from Azkaban..." Hermione said worriedly. "It's searching the train for Sirius Black." Harry looked even paler... if possible. "It appeared and you both just... fainted." Hermione explained.
Harry frowned. "Did either of you-"
Ron and Hermione shook their heads. "No… just the two of you. It was almost simultaneous."
"But I heard a woman scream." Harry insisted.
Hermione shook her head again. "No one was screaming Harry."
Erin edged away from the others into the corner. Sirius Black...she swallowed. She couldn't look at them. She couldn't tell them. What would she tell them anyway? They would never believe her. She had also heard a scream...someone did scream. But why didn't the others hear it...what was going on?
"Erin?" Ron whispered. He saw her pale face and the fear that still held her. He didn't know what to do. "We thought the two of you were having a fit or something."
Hermione looked worriedly from Erin over to Ron. Harry, despite his own worries about Sirius Black coming to kill him and the Dementors attack, reached out and took Erin's hand hoping to comfort her some. She looked so terribly ill. The train started up again before the Professor had even gotten back to them.
The kids got out of their carriage and headed towards the school with the other students, excited for another year at Hogwarts despite the problems on the train. "Well, well." A familiar, arrogant voice began. "If it isn't Potter... associating with the usual riff-raff I see." Draco Malfoy said as he stalked over to them waiting no time as he eyed Harry and his friends with disgust. Draco smiled, surrounded by his usual entourage of conforming lackeys. "What's this I hear about you fainting?" He laughed, on cue his friends did as well, mocking Harry. "Poor Harry!" He laughed. "Afraid of a little dementor!" He mocked under the hood of his black robe. His friends were in hysterics by then.
Hermione glared at him. "Shut up, Malfoy!"
"Look, Potter! You even have the little mudblood defending you now. And I thought you could sink no lower." He grinned harshly at Harry who nothing to say to Draco. It really wasn't worth it.
"That will be quite enough, Mr. Malfoy..." Draco turned to see a tall man approaching them. Prof. Lupin looked on them all neutrally. Though it was somewhat obvious he didn't like the Slytherin boy much. Draco scowled and stalked off, having been caught there wasn't much more he could right now. He'd have to wait until later.
Erin looked at Remus standing there. She hadn't expected her godfather to be that close to her. She looked away and swallowed hard. "We should get to the feast..."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, come on, guys, uh, thanks, Professor."
"Yes... Thanks, Professor." Harry said quickly before he turned and followed his friends into the building to join the feast. He had to admit he wasn't to sure about this Professor Lupin, he was strange and Erin acted strangely around him, almost nervous, ever since the train, really. He glanced at her as they entered the Great Hall, but didn't say anything as they made their way to the Gryffindor table.
McGonagall hurried up. "Granger, Potter, Lyancomp, I need to see you immediately. Come with me."
She swept them from the hall and into an unused classroom. Madam Pomfrey was waiting for them.
"Oh, these are the students?" Madam Pomfrey asked. "What have they been doing this time?"
"It was a dementor, Poppy."
McGonagall and Pomfrey exchanged dark looks. "What do you suggest? Bed rest? Staying in the hospital wing over night?"
"I'm fine!" Erin said indignantly and looked at Harry.
Harry didn't know what all this was about, but he felt fine, a little weird, but okay. "We're fine." He said with certainty to McGonagall and Pomfrey. "There's no reason to worry."
Hermione looked between them, but she didn't say anything to the contrary, she only wondered why she had been called. She hadn't been harmed at all. "I was there too, everyone was alright. Professor Lupin took care of them, giving them chocolate and everything." She said, looking to the two witches.
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "We finally have a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, one that actually knows his remedies."
"All right." McGonagall said. "Potter, if you will wait outside a moment I need to talk to Miss Granger and Miss Lyancomp alone. They will only be a moment."
"Sure." Harry nodded and promptly left. Hermione looked at Erin and then back to McGonagall.
McGonagall smiled. "You both signed up for a few more classes than you have time for in a day. We had to write to the ministry and secure for you two time turners. Have either of you ever heard of one before?"
Erin nodded. "I remember hearing something about it before." She looked at Hermione and shrugged slightly not sure what was going on.
"I've heard of them as well... But I didn't think they were given to students. It's very dangerous for a witch or a wizard to meddle with time." Hermione said, almost as if she was quoting something she had read once before.
McGonagall smiled. "Usually they are not, we had to send all types of forms in, about your grades and work ethic and about your ability to handle a time turner. Professor Dumbledore and myself both believe that you are responsible enough for them. A word of caution wizards who play with time must tread carefully. You must not be seen, understand me? No one must know you are using time. Wizards far more intelligent...well far older than you have accidentally killed their future or past selves by using it, I know you will be careful though." She handed them each a small hourglass on a thin gold chain. "Wear them around your necks and do not reveal them to anyone or leave them unattended."
Hermione took hers looking at it with great interest before she slipped it around her neck. "Yes, Professor." She agreed before tucking it beneath her robes so no one would see she had it.
Erin did the same and nodded. "We will be careful."
"Good." McGonagall said. "You may go to the feast. I have to get back for the Sorting myself."
She swept past them out of the room and they left to walk to the Great Hall with Harry.
"What was all that about?" Harry wondered as the two girls rejoined him.
Erin exchanged looks with Hermione. "Nothing, Harry, don't worry about it. Come on, last one there loves Malfoy!" Erin laughed and hurried on ahead.
Harry hurried after her. "Not fair!" Hermione called running to catch up.
Erin slid into her seat just ahead of the others giving Ron a smile and sticking her tongue out and Fred and George.
"Everything all right?" Ron asked.
"Yeah." Erin said. "Hermione just loves Malfoy." She whispered giggling.
Harry was grinning. "I do NOT!" Hermione fumed, having guessed what Erin was whispering. Oh, just the thought of Draco Malfoy made her blood positively boil!
Erin smiled. "Ok, you don't." She giggled again not knowing why she was now so happy...she shrugged it off and noticed everyone had been sorted and Dumbledore was standing in front of them.
Dumbledore stood in front of them. "Welcome to a new year. As you undoubtedly have noticed we are playing host to the Dementors of Azkaban. Do not give them any reason to harm you. Dementors are not swayed by excuses or sentiment. Invisibility cloaks or spells do not fool them. They will be here for as long as the Ministry deems necessary." He paused. "Now I am pleased to announce two new teachers have joined our teaching staff. Professor R.J. Lupin has kindly agreed to fill our Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Professor Lupin."
Remus stood up and nodded to everyone. Erin, Harry, Ron and Hermione clapped the loudest and jumped up and down whistling. Remus smiled a little embarrassed and sat back down. "That's why he knew to give you the chocolate, you guys." Hermione said.
"And next our Care of Magical Creatures teacher retired at the end of last term to spend some more time with his remaining limbs. But I am pleased to announce that it will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid."
Hagrid stood at McGonagall's nudge jostling the table in front of him. Everyone at the Gryffindor Table was standing and clapping and yelling. Hagrid sat down again at McGonagall's urging.
"Now, remember even in the darkest of times we can find happiness if we only remember to turn on the light." Dumbledore made a candle go out and then relight. "Tuck in!"
Erin grabbed a plate with roast beef on it and ignored Fred and George who were trying to catch her eye. Erin leaned over to Ron. "Is it possible to curse them with something that isn't too bad but will incapacitate them for a while?"
Ron shrugged. "Try it. Nothing you can do but try it. They are pretty annoying though, aren't they?"
Erin rolled her eyes. "You don't have them hounding you to go out with them or more. It's been going on for two years. Just once I would like to see them be interested in someone else." Erin sighed. "But you can't have everything. Of course I wouldn't mind if someone else paid more attention to me." Erin looked up at Harry and smiled. He definitely was cute and one of her best friends...
Ron looked at Harry and shook his head. "I don't know about you," He said to Erin. "But you may have to hint a little more."
Ron was right because Harry hadn't seemed to catch her drift or been paying enough attention, he seemed more lost in his own thoughts than busy eating or socializing. Hermione put a little more food on her plate. "Not to worry, Erin, it's probably all just a matter of the proper timing." She said hinting playfully. "Isn't that right, Harry?" She said piping to call him back to them.
"Hm? Oh... sure-" Harry said. Hermione shook her head and laughed at their friend. Poor Erin, to be stuck with unwanted admirers while admiring someone who was barely aware of the world around him sometimes was definitely not a good scenario.
Erin smiled. "Hogwarts to Harry. Come in, Harry. You're keeping something from us. You know what happens when you do that." Erin paused. "You'll tell us sooner or later." Erin looked at Hermione. "You know, Hon, someone else might benefit from the right timing." She winked and speared a few carrots.
Harry might've blushed had he already not been too busy drifting back to his thoughts. But Hermione did just slightly before nibbling on a carrot herself. "Erin..."
Erin smiled. "Before you say anything, let's just say in my own defense that you two are always telling me I have to be more direct with him-"
"WITH WHO?" Fred and George asked leaning in. "Erin, are you fawning over some guy?"
"Because if you are it had better be one of us." Fred said.
"Too right." George said.
"We had dibs." Fred said.
"Shove off." Erin said pushing Fred's face back. "None of your business." She turned back to Hermione. "I just want you guys to be happy. You know that." She smiled, how could they resist?
Ron looked totally oblivious to what was going on. "Erin? What are you talking about?"
"Oh just never mind, Ron. You don't really want to know." Hermione said. "Weasleys! Can't live with them... can't live without them."
"Hah!" Erin said. "I certainly could live without those two-"
"You love us!" Fred and George returned.
"Of course without Ron it would be difficult. He's just so handy to have around."
"Uh, thanks." Ron said. "Harry, what is wrong with you?" Ron asked looking at his friend.
"Nothing..." Harry said. Glancing at Ron's brothers and then around them to see who was listening. "It's just... I think I have to tell you something... but not here..." He said and he didn't want the wrong people to hear.
"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry waited until everyone departed after the feast to go back to their separate dormitories before he began telling them the what he knew about Sirius Black's escape and how he was supposedly hunting Harry. "Well they'll catch him won't they? I mean... everyone is looking for him." Hermione said, stating the obvious as trailed up the stairs towards Gryffindor common room in their little group amongst the others of their house, trying to talk softly as they went.
Erin didn't speak, but she looked around trying to find a way to tell them. It was futile. How could she tell them that her own father was Sirius Black? She couldn't...but she could..."You know he might not be after Harry at all, we've jumped to conclusions before-"
"Are you mad?" Ron asked. "Sirius Black killed 13 people with one curse. And if my dad says he's after Harry, then he's after Harry."
"Ron, I just-" Erin fell silent not knowing what else to say.
Harry was quiet to, he was watching Erin, but then he looked away. "Let's not worry ourselves about it anymore tonight. We've only just arrived. We can sort it out tomorrow." Hermione said, trying to keep her friends from getting too discouraged. "Besides...Harry if he really is after you...You're safe here. I don't think any of our professors would let anything happen. They all seem pretty on their guard with this." She said.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, let's go to bed. Everything will seem brighter in the morning." Then as a side to Erin, "Unless of course Sirius Black really is after him and kills in the night."
Erin slapped Ron right on the back of the head, hard, which caused him to yelp. "Shut up, Ronald."